E Nesbit

The Incomplete Amorist E Nesbit

"No. The chemises aren't cut out. I haven't had time. There are enough shirts to go on with, aren't there, Mrs. James?" said Betty."We can make do for this afternoon, Miss, but the men they're getting blowed out with shirts. It's the children's shifts as we can't make shift without much longer." Mrs. James, habituallydoleful, punctuated her speech with sniffs."That's a joke, Mrs. James," said Betty. "How clever you are!""I try to be what's fitting," said Mrs. James, complacently."Talk of fitting," said Betty, "If you like I'll fit on that black bodice for you, Mrs. Symes. If theother ladies don't mind waiting for the reading a little bit.""I'd as lief talk as read, myself," said a red-faced sandy-haired woman; "books ain't what theywas in my young days.""If it's the same to you, Miss," said Mrs. Symes in a thick rich voice, "I'll not be tried on afore aroom full. If we are poor we can all be clean's what I say, and I keeps my unders as I keeps myoutside. But not before persons as has real imitation lace on their petticoat bodies. I see themwhen I was a-nursing her with her fourth. No, Miss, and thanking you kindly, but begging yourpardon all the same.